Renaissance England was an era of remarkable and glorious figures, among them Queen Elizabeth I, William Shakespeare, and Sir Walter Raleigh. Less well known, but no less fascinating, was scientist Thomas Harriot. Harriot's theories, inventions, and discoveries were as groundbreaking as they were controversial. From his daring explorations of the New World, to his scientific findings on subjects as diverse as alchemy, binary numeration, and the moons of Jupiter, Harriot's range of accomplishments reflects his endless curiosity about the world around him.

Thomas Harriot's life and work are thoughtfully detailed and chronicled in Ralph C. Staiger's biography. Replete with illustrations, reproductions of original maps, diagrams, and Harriot's own handwritten notes, this book captures the flavor of an extraordinary time, as well as the character of an intriguing, relatively unknown genius.

From the dust jacket